Bogus Lawyer Gets 6 Months for Impersonation

Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central Province – A man from Mt Darwin, Joseph Chigwedegwere, was sentenced to 9 months in prison, with 3 months suspended for 5 years, for pretending to be a lawyer. This means he will serve an effective 6 months behind bars.

Chigwedegwere tricked Tabeth Madzonga into believing he was a legal professional who could help her husband, Lovemore Mabasa, secure bail. “Lovemore had been arrested for prospecting for gold without a licence,” according to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA).

Impersonating a Lawyer for $150

The court heard that Chigwedegwere, 49, approached Madzonga after her husband’s arrest. He allegedly told her and Christine Mabasa, “I am a legal practitioner and would assist them with Lovemore Mabasa’s bail application.”

He charged them $150 for his fake services and even obtained official documents from the Public Prosecutor handling the case.

Caught and Exposed

Chigwedegwere’s scheme unravelled when authorities discovered he wasn’t a real lawyer. The state papers were recovered, and further investigation led to the confiscation of a fake Law Society of Zimbabwe practising certificate.

Magistrate’s Sentence

The magistrate delivered the sentence, stating, “Joseph Chigwedegwere, you are hereby sentenced to 9 months imprisonment, of which 3 months are suspended for 5 years. This means you will serve an effective 6 months.”

This case serves as a cautionary tale for anyone considering seeking legal representation. Always verify the credentials of any individual claiming to be a lawyer to avoid being scammed.